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Background: I live in a Miami high rise and my cable operator is Primecast. I absolutely have to use these people as my satellite/cable providers. Long story short: they use a wacky protocol called MFH-3 (Multiple Family Housing) which sends data packets via CAT-5 (ethernet) cable to a DirecTV receiver. No coax! Please note, this is not IPTV as MFH-3 requires a satellite on the top of the building (it only sends signals throughout your individual condo unit over ethernet). Every condo has some kind of proprietary fiber optic line that hooks into an Alcatel brand modem in the utility box which then converts it to ethernet signal.

Problem: this stupid system only works with the HR20i (a non-3d capable DVR receiver). It also works with another non-3D capable stand alone (non-dvr) receiver. That's it. Absolutely no other receivers are compatible. This is absolutely the only thing this dumb system can function with (I was told this by my operator Primecast and I still tried extensively to use a newer receiver and failed). Please keep in mind the only hookup besides power in and HDMI out is ethernet cable in to the box (no coax). I think the ethernet has to use the lower ethernet port. Not the higher port on the back of the box (Does this even make a difference?). BUT keep in mind the HR20i can reportedly record 3d programming. It just cannot not decode it. Per other users, it can also send the signal to other receivers via the MRV (multiple room viewing) protocol ($3/month service from DirecTV).

Question: I just purchased the UN55C8000 (2010 Samsung 3d LED TV). I want, nay, I NEED 3D content....SO, can I set up a different DirecTV box which is 3d capable (ie HR-23 DVR) as a "multiple room viewer" in the same AV cabinet and run cables (ethernet? DECA? coax? combo?) from my HR-20i to the newer 3D capable receiver...THEN also hook that 3D capable receiver up to my 3DTV for a work around? In effect this solution, if it worked, would use the HR20i as the decoder for the MFH-3 (crap protocol from hell) data and then send out a signal that the 3D capable newer DirecTV boxes (HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24) could use?

Question 2: If this would work, will this allow me to send only pre-recorded content? Could I start recording content on my non-3D capable box hooked up on HDMI 1 on my TV then switch over to the 3D box (while the 3d and non-3d boxes are hooked up to each other for "MRV") on HDMI 2 and start streaming that "recorded" program with a few second delay (semi-real time). Could I send signal real time?

They are doing their best to kill of their stock of the HR-20i and they will be rolling out an HR-24i is what I was told by our MSO. We have some MFH3 sites and we (and our customers) are waiting impatiently for that to happen...supposedly this will occur this fall. They are already down to the last pallets of D-11i boxes.

I am also a Technical Support Rep with Primecast, and thought that I would answer a question left open on a post below.

The D-12 Satellite is still being upgraded at sites all over the country. If you give me the name of your development, I can give you a rough time frame on when the satellite will be installed in your property, if it hasn't already been upgraded.

No further information has been given regarding the HR24i, and when it will be available.

Also, the comment about the D11i being phased out is incorrect (well, that DTV was on their last pallet). D11i is a SD receiver compatible with only the MFH3 system. This product will stay around for a while to offer customers more options with their STB's.

You will find subscribers constantly refer to the actual dish itself as "the satellite." "Upgrade the satellite" many times = "upgrade the dish."

Thanks TBlazer for pointing that out to PSmith.

The term "satellite" is used very loosely when referring to the actual satellite orbiting space or the satellite dish sitting on the roof. I actually do know the difference between the two and I know that the satellite itself is working as it should since many other subscribers already receive the 3D signals.

Even the Tech Support Rep from Primecast referred to "the satellite" being upgraded but I knew he was referring to the dish on the roof of my development.

By way of clarification, the upgrade is neither to the satellite nor the dish. The Dish used is a standard SL5. The upgrade is a hardware and firmware change to the headend. As has been somewhat stated in this thread, the upgrade is only to allow for reception of the entire lineup. All feeds from all satellites. The upgrade will have no affect on the ability to receive 3D programming or to enable Whole Home DVR, neither are possible with the MFH3 system and the HR20 receiver.

By way of clarification, the upgrade is neither to the satellite nor the dish. The Dish used is a standard SL5. The upgrade is a hardware and firmware change to the headend. As has been somewhat stated in this thread, the upgrade is only to allow for reception of the entire lineup. All feeds from all satellites. The upgrade will have no affect on the ability to receive 3D programming or to enable Whole Home DVR, neither are possible with the MFH3 system and the HR20 receiver.

By the way, no word of any action on an MFH3 HR24.

Hope this helps.

Yeah it does help;

But it would help even more helpful for us techies if you could explain a little more (assuming you know of course) as to why specifically the pre-upgraded MFH-3 systems are not able to currently receive the Ka A band?

Just studying the published diagrams and explanations of the MFH-3 system released by DirecTV give no indication for the reasons of this limitation.

There are a finite number of tuners (128), one each per transponder from the different satellites including the internationals, in the headend. Prior to the D12 bird going up, all satellites and their transponders were fully covered with plenty of spare tuners for backup. Once the new satellite went up, some of the receivers have to be reassigned from spares to actively receiving the D12 feeds. This sounds simple, but because not all the receivers can process the different signals, SD, HD MPEG 2 and 4 and the way the headend routes the feeds of the different satellites to the onboard receivers, major changes were necessary. The hardware change requires a replacement of the RF plant and rewiring of the associated cabling to incorporate, among other things, BBand converters, amps and switch gear.

In a nutshell, the firmware upgrade reassigns the formerly spare receivers to handle the new bird.

This is a very simplistic overview of the upgrade, but I hope it helps to understand it.

I'll just say that the headend, in my opinion, now does not have an adequate number of backup receivers for MPEG 4 HD. We are already running into programming outages because of this. Of course this can be remedied if I merely pony up another $5k for another gateway (32 tuners). This is all I care to say about that.

All transponders have an assigned receiver whether it has any active programming or not. Never know when or where a new channel may pop up.

So when are you jerks at primecast going to give us 3d? I've heard ESPN 3D is mindblowing, but unfortunately we have the some kind of 3rd world satellite middleman called primecast ROBBING us of our 3d. Hey Primecast, go back to Kazakhstan or whatever heck hole you crawled out of! Primecast sucks. 6 months later and still no 3d from these buttholes.

So when are you jerks at primecast going to give us 3d? I've heard ESPN 3D is mindblowing, but unfortunately we have the some kind of 3rd world satellite middleman called primecast ROBBING us of our 3d. Hey Primecast, go back to Kazakhstan or whatever heck hole you crawled out of! Primecast sucks. 6 months later and still no 3d from these buttholes.

WOW!

Talk about "Open big fat mouth and insert crap encrusted foot"!

You have absolutely no inkling of an idea what you're even thinking of talking about. The operators who have to not only put up with ignorant know nothing clients as yourself on the one hand and have to put up with whatever Directv wants to dish out on the other, have absolutely nothing to do with you not being able to receive in 3D. No more than it is our fault that you aren't afforded the benefit of upgraded equipment capable of doing so. The fact that you ere being afforded diminished services when compared to the RF world, lies entirely with Directv. You and others like you think you're....

Let me just repeat that "it's better to not post and let someone think you're a total and complete moron than to do so and remove all doubt", or something like that.

As I have stated before, MFH3 is the proverbial redheaded stepchild of Directv.

I do not have any connection with the operator mentioned here, but had to reply as I'm sick and tired of having to put up with such tremendous idiots as yourself and having to suck it up.

My sympathies go out to anyone that has to interface with you on a daily basis, I'm talking in general, not just where related to Directv.